Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-01-29
HOW TO INTERVIEW.
SOME OF THE QUALITIES OF
DISTINGUISHED MEN.
a Lesson from Dickens-Grsnt speaks
fer Two NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., Blaine
and tine Princess Louise.

In musty little dressing room Just of
the stage Of ST. James Hall, in Buffalo,
Charles Dickens gsvea ambitious young
newspaper reporter his first lesson in in
terviewing. That was more than 20
years ago and during Mr.. Dickens last
visit to this country. The great novelist
gave two public readings in Buffalo, and
on the day after mis- first reading in that
city he went to Niagara Fails with
party OF friends. IL Was to obtain his
impressions" of the Falls thar the ambi-
tious young reporter sought Mr.. Dickens
few minutes before the RAISING of the
curtain on his second nights entertain
menJ. AS luck would have it, the distin-
guished author was alone in the dressing
room. He was sitting at a rude pine
table reading newspaper by the light
OF suffering candle.
"W nat is It,, young man." he said,
somewhat grutilY, as soon as he became
aware Of the reporters presence.
81 am reporter for the Buffalo EX-
PRESS" said the intruder, with forced
calmness.
''Yes, yes; well, what is it?' exclaimed
Mr.. Dickens, in a tone so freezing that
the reporter shivered and instinctively
turned toward the door in expectation OF
an admonItiOn TO Get outu'
swell, what do you wantT repeated
the great Boz.
"Wh-wh-what do you think of Mag
arap stammered the reporter.
None OF your" began the famous
novelist, with rising asperity.
81 beg your pardon, excuse me;
thought" nervously interjected the
reporter, as he edged toward the door.
"W ait moment. Come here!" Mr..
Dickens demeanor and tone had changed
completely. The reporter looked up in
surprise. The expression Of annoyance
IN the face of the novelist had given way
to one OF amused interest. $50 you were
sent TO interview me, were you?" said he
pleasantly. Gwen, | hope you will ex-
cuse my candOr in saying that your paper
could not have sent person less likely to
succeed, even if | We're willing to be in
reviewed, which l am not. NV young
friend, let me give you word of advice.
When you want TO interview aman don't
act as If you were afraid of him, and dOu't
throw a net at him as though you were
seeking fish in invisible depths, No man
whose opinions are worth publ shing will
respond to wholesale invitation to I'M
bosom himself. Don't ask weak or
frivolous questions! You must have an
INTELLIGENT plan OF campaign when YOU 20
interviewing.
First OF all you must know just what
you want to say, and your questions must
D6 luCIslNG 10 AWAKEN the In
terest Of the person to whom they are ad-
dressed. once you get man interested
in subject it will require only a little in
genuitY to keep him talking. After what
l have seen to-day | cannot help feeling
an interest in Niagara Falls, but, if you
will excuse me Tor saying so. you lack
the ingenuity to set me talking on the
subj ct. l wish you well, however. Good
night"
A - nioLaoeJ s.i,,orosetoa,, &c MAJ.
Falls were not printed in any Buffalo
newspaper the next day, but mis- pIthy re-
marks on the subject OF interviewing
were printed on the tablets OF that young
reporters memOry--in red ink, as it were.
There are probably but few newspaper
reporters in this city that have not inter-
viewed Henry Ward Beecher. The Ply
mouth pastor enjoys great popularity
among the reporters, for be is accessible.
genial, and, as a rule, laxative. He is
always ready to engage in harmless bit
OF chan with the new SpaDer men, but h
will not brook insOlence. The last men,
toned fact was recently impressed upon
the alleged mind of staggering Young
ster, who said that he represented a
Brooklyn paper. A rumor that Mr..
Beecher was dead got started in some
unaco0untabe manner and spread like
wildfre. Reporters by the score hurried
to Mr.. Beecher's house and were there
confronted by the famous preacher, hale
and hearty. After while along came a
young fellow, who said to Mr.. Beecher,
with an impudent grin, that he had been
sent by the city editor OF the Brooklyn
- ito find out whether Beecher
was alive or dead.''
''Well,' said the Plymouth pastor, 81
suppose you know who | amp"
"Oh, yes" answered the fellow pertly,
"but | would ike to have it directly from
you that you are not dead"
"Ah,v murmured the stalwart pastor
as he laid a heavy hand on the funny
Young mans coat collar. The next in
slant the young man was held up in the
air and shaken as a dog would shake q
sawdust roll. Mr.. Beecher set him down
on the sidewalk-nOt any too gently-and
quietly remarked: "Now, you can 90 to
YOUR city editor and tell him that YOU have
received actual proof that | am alive"
One day half dozen reporters met on
the doorstep OF Gen. Grants residence in
this city. Each one was bent on the
same mission, viz: to try aud get the
General to talk about his changed opin-
Ions regarding the famous case Of Fitz-
John Porter.
"pse 'frsid Gen'l Grant won't see you"
said the colored attendant who opened the
door.
''WeIl, you tell him that the representa-
tiYes Of all the leading New York papers
are here" suggested one Of the clan per-
suasIvely.
"All right, sab, but Pse 'fraid its TO
use. He don't talk to no newspaper man
no more"
The newspaper men, however, crowded
into the little reception room off the hail
and awaited results. Presently Gen.
Grant came down stairs. AS soon as he
caught sight of the group of scrbes be
threw up his hands in mock despair and
exclaimed: Don't shoot! | am I'M
armed" He listened attentively while
one Of the reporters eXpla ned to him the
object of the invasion, and then he SAID
"Now boys, | cannot say word to you
on that subject to-day, but am glad to
see you, nevertheless. Harrison, adj
dressing his servant bring some cigars!
l must say that ] like newspaper men,
reporters particularly. When they take
hold OF anything they take hold in earn
est, and they don't let 30 very soon
either. | have just written some letters
in relation TO Gen. Porters case, and
until those letters reach the persons 10
whom they are addressed l do not think
I 1t would be proper for me TO talk on the
I subject. Here, have some cigars, won't
/ your | wish that | could do something
/ to repay you for your trouble in coming
way up here" OF course the reporters
I accepted the cigars. What smoker is
Y there who would nave declined to accept
a WnnI